The fall of Barcelona

[gawa316]

They do have the youngsters Pedri and Gavi in midfield. Both only teenagers and accomplished full internationals for Spain. So it is not all doom and gloom.

Add Fati to that list as well.

[Wildweasel74]

Better teams than them fell away, Look at AC Milan.

[Captain Obvious]

Better teams than them fell away, Look at AC Milan.

Debatable who was better AC Milan 1989 to 1995 or Barcelona 2008 to 2015. Right now both are a long way off those levels however at least Milan are top of the Serie A while Barcelona are 9th in mediocre La Liga.

[seafoid]

https://frontofficesports.com/barcelona-1-57b-in-debt-looks-to-sell-media-stake/FC Barcelona is in $1.57 billion in debt, and is seeking to sell a $58.1 million stake in its media venture, Barca Studios.

[Dougal Maguire]

Surely Gallsman can give us the inside track here

[nrico2006]

This is a bit more than a cycle though, the club are in crazy debt hence Messi leaving and their inclination to try and sign has-beens on frees (Aguero, Wijnaldum, Depay etc.). 

Has-beens...what a ridiculous comment

He's 31 next month so more than likely past his best.

Although he has never played for Barcelona in his life so i'm not sure why were talking about him lol

He mentioned it because they were after him until PSG came in. He is 31 next month but I think the days of a players peak being 28/29 are done. He has a good 3 years left at the top imo.

My point was that Barcelona are now looking for players:

- in their 30s or
- who are past their best or
- who are available for free or very cheap, or
- who aren't top players.

[gallsman]

Surely Gallsman can give us the inside track here

I don't work for them or anything! Everything easily read in English language media

Pretty much as has been said, scandalous mismanagement overpaying transfer fees and wages, and in doing so completely wasted the prime of Messi's career. The story of how they ended up paying so much for Dembélé (who still had so much potential but it's constantly injured, perhaps from lack of effort) tells you all you need to know. Coutinho was bought to have a Brazilian in the team after Neymar left, even though they could never accommodate him, Messi and Suarez from a defensive perspective. Accounting tricks to swap one of the best young midfielders in Europe in Arthur for an aging, unnecessary Pjanic. Complete nonsense.

As has been said though, they have somehow managed to gather some of the best young talents in Europe all over again. Pedri was in the team of the tournament at the Euros, Gavi started the Nations League final and Ansu Fati looked like a superstar a year ago before his injury. The problem will be keeping them. They already lost Ilaix to Leipzig.

The Camp Nou is a tired, crumbling shitshow of a stadium. They're gonna have to do something creative (cough cough more oil money) to survive but they'll be in the wilderness from the European elite perspective for years to come. Koeman had to go as they still have a squad that should be comfortable managing at least 4th but they've left themselves a ton of work.

[seafoid]

Basically they don't have a moneybags owner as PSG, Man City and Chelsea do.
In order to keep up with escalating prices they had to borrow money.
This is a losing game.

[manfromdelmonte]

1. Too much debt
2. Covid lockdowns hammered them
3. They didn't get the European Super League and they needed it.

This is a crisis

On top of that, as has been mentioned in the Utd thread, elite managers are like hen's teeth and Barcelona don't tend to give a manager long to put his stamp on a team.

They appointed a manager who hadn't a clue what he was doing at Everton

[brokencrossbar1]

1. Too much debt
2. Covid lockdowns hammered them
3. They didn't get the European Super League and they needed it.

This is a crisis

On top of that, as has been mentioned in the Utd thread, elite managers are like hen's teeth and Barcelona don't tend to give a manager long to put his stamp on a team.

They appointed a manager who hadn't a clue what he was doing at Everton

Completely....imagine putting red baubles on your Christmas tree....

[manfromdelmonte]

1. Too much debt
2. Covid lockdowns hammered them
3. They didn't get the European Super League and they needed it.

This is a crisis

On top of that, as has been mentioned in the Utd thread, elite managers are like hen's teeth and Barcelona don't tend to give a manager long to put his stamp on a team.

They appointed a manager who hadn't a clue what he was doing at Everton

Completely....imagine putting red baubles on your Christmas tree....

He bought 4 players to play #10

[laoislad]

1. Too much debt
2. Covid lockdowns hammered them
3. They didn't get the European Super League and they needed it.

This is a crisis

On top of that, as has been mentioned in the Utd thread, elite managers are like hen's teeth and Barcelona don't tend to give a manager long to put his stamp on a team.

They appointed a manager who hadn't a clue what he was doing at Everton

Completely....imagine putting red baubles on your Christmas tree....

[clarshack]

Could this be the end of Sergio Aguero's playing days?

https://www.sportsjoe.ie/football/sergio-aguero-diagnosed-cardiac-arrhythmia-hospital-tests-239478

[nrico2006]

This whole clamour for Xavi is mad too. Given the state they are in, you would imagine someone with a bit of sense would advise them to get a top quality manager who has proven credentials.  Xavi has done or shown nothing to suggest he will do any better than the previous failures.

[Rossie11]

This whole clamour for Xavi is mad too. Given the state they are in, you would imagine someone with a bit of sense would advise them to get a top quality manager who has proven credentials.  Xavi has done or shown nothing to suggest he will do any better than the previous failures.

Like who?